South Carolina School Receives Backlash for Border Patrol Costume Photo
Florence, South Carolina: A School Enmeshed in Controversy Over Attire Chosen for Cantina Event
Royall Elementary School in Florence, South Carolina, has faced an onslaught of social media criticism after photos emerged of some of its employees wearing U.S. Border Patrol shirts at a cultural event meant to celebrate Mexico. The incident, which occurred on July 31 during the school’s “Royal Cantina” event, has sparked outrage within the Mexican-American community and beyond.
Details about the incident
As part of the school’s professional development day, a Latin American bar-themed event was held where staff members were encouraged to wear costumes reflecting the theme. While many staff members donned sombreros and brightly-colored clothing, two employees chose to wear gray shirts printed with the words “U.S. Border Patrol”. They were photographed standing in front of a makeshift red brick wall, in an eerie representation of the U.S-Mexico border wall. The school posted this photo on Facebook on July 31, leading to the ensuing backlash. The post has since been deleted amidst the flood of angry comments.
Public Reaction and School Response
Many social media users who saw the photo responded with shock and anger. Comments ranged from calling for the immediate firing of the employees involved to expressing concern about the message this incident would send to Mexican-American students.
In response to the backlash, Royall Elementary School posted an apology on Facebook, acknowledging the insensitivity of the image posted earlier and emphasizing the school’s commitment to celebrate diversity. The school stated, “At Royall, we take great pride in our long-standing tradition of embracing and supporting every student… We apologize for our insensitivity but look forward to fostering relationships as we begin a new school year”. In the wake of the backlash, the school has limited who can comment on the post.
Consequences for the Staff Members Involved
Concerning the disciplinary actions taken against the involved staff members, Florence One Schools Superintendent Richard O’Malley stated in a letter to parents that “Several employees are no longer employed or have been placed on leave”. He reassured the school community that Royall Elementary School will continue to uphold high standards in providing excellent education to all students.
